18.05.20
TfL tube and rail services increased
Transport for London (TfL) will from May 18th , following discussing with the Government before the announcement of the lockdown restrictions being lifted, increase public transport service levels to make journeys as safe as possible for people who have no alternative other than to use public transport as national restrictions on movement are cautiously and progressively lifted.
People who have to use public transport have been advised by TfL to wear face coverings and avoid the busiest times and locations. The busiest times on the tube and rail network are between 05:45-08:15 and 16:00-17:30.
Passengers have been urged to take the most direct route and avoid busy interchanges if possible. TfL have released a list of their 20 busiest stations to help the public know where hotspots are located.
This will be updated regularly, and Londoners are encouraged to avoid using those stations wherever possible at busy times to help maintain social distancing and to avoid potentially having to wait to enter those stations.
As the Government has set out, the number of people able to safely travel on public transport networks will be significantly restricted given the requirement to maintain a two-metre distance between people wherever possible.
TfL has been operating service levels in line with National Rail and is working hard to return services to as close as to 100% as soon as possible given the number of staff off sick, shielding or self-isolating.
Numerous stations have had new one-way and queueing systems put in place to help control the flow of customers through the station, allowing passengers to socially distance.
Passengers may also be asked to wait to enter a station. Signage has also been installed on escalators asking customers to stand six steps apart and in station lifts asking that just four people use them at a time.
From today (May 18th) TfL is operating:
- 75% of tube services. The Circle line has been re-instated and 7 of the 37 stations that were closed for several weeks are now open.
- 80% of London Overground and Docklands Light Railway services
- 100% of TfL Rail services
- 95% of London Trams services
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We are making it safer for people who have no alternative but to use public transport by reopening stations, installing hand sanitiser points, introducing one-way systems and reminding people of the need to stay two metres apart. We are also making sure Londoners know which stations to avoid at what times.
"However, I must urge all Londoners to only use public transport as a last resort and to walk or cycle for any essential journeys if you possibly can. You should continue to work from home if you are able to do so. It is crucial that we keep demand for services as low as possible to avoid a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS. I am grateful that the vast majority of Londoners are staying at home – please continue to do so to protect our NHS and save lives."